The First Curse of Love
68. Compassion

As soon as Danny and Qiara arrived at the orphanage, all the children who were busy with their activities ran over to them. Everyone looked so happy when they saw their two favorite people coming to see them.

"Sister Qia's the same brother Danny's better, huh?" Reno asked with sparkling eyes on Qiara.

In response to Reno's question, Qiara immediately raised a thumb while blinking one eye.

"Kill? How do you mean Reno?" Ask Danny in wonder.

Qiara now turns her attention to Danny, instead of answering Danny's question, Qiara just shows his mysterious smile that makes Danny astonished.

"Qiii?" Danny murmured full of gentleness as he looked at Qiara with a begging look.

Qiara desperately held back her laughter when finally Iam and Trisa just suddenly appeared and saved her from Danny's question.

Trisa was already about to hug Qiara, but Qiara hurriedly held her forehead while saying to Trisa and Iam, "there are some souvenirs in the car. Mending you guys haul it now."

Iam immediately obeyed Qiara's orders, while Trisa actually approached Qiara and flanked her arm, "so, when Mba Qia and Mas Dean would meni—"

Before Trisa finished her words, Qiara quickly smothered her mouth while looking at Danny with an unkind look.

"So, you've been eating lunch today for me, Trisss?"

Qiara immediately took Trisa away from Danny before Trisa opened her mouth further.

"Sister Danny, what's the picture of Reno? Danny likes it, right?" Reno asked for a while after Qiara and Trisa left from before them.

"good. Brother Danny likes it, deh. Brother Danny was also amazed to find out you have a talent for painting."

"Thank you, Brother Danny. Reno has loved drawing since she was a child. Mama said, Reno's drawing talent came down from Papa." There's a sad tone that Danny caught when Reno mentioned his Papa.

Danny smiled warmly at Reno, then sat down crouching in front of Reno. Rubbing his head, Danny said, "then from now on, Reno should be diligent in studying, huh? Your painting skills should be honed and developed, and later, when you're in college, Danny's brother will send you to the best art school in France. You must succeed, and make your Papa regret for leaving a child as great and sinister as you. Okay?"

"K—Serious Danny?" Reno tried to make sure. What he had just heard seemed unreal.

Danny was sure too. "Seriously, but there's a condition."

"What's that?"

"You must study hard. Keep your grades at the top three, and most importantly, keep your mom as good as possible. Do not do things that will make your mother anxious and sad as you did at that time. And one more thing, until you finish your education until you reach High School, Brother Danny will continue to monitor you. So, make sure not to create any problems. Understood?"

"Understand, Brother Danny. Reno promised, will fulfill all the conditions of Brother Danny." Reno hugged Danny in front of her.

"Eeem, there's one more condition." Danny said again after Reno broke out of his embrace.

"What, Brother Danny?"

"Try me to know Brother Danny, did you mean the same Kak Qiara?"

Before answering Danny's question, Reno looks up a smile while scratching his head.

...****...

Qiara and Ira's mother were standing on the back porch watching Danny, who was playing ball with a couple of children. Qiara laughed at times when she saw how Danny mingled and melded with the boys.

While without Qiara knowing, Ira's mother just focused on paying attention to him with one big smile on her face. During her time getting to know Qiara, this was the first time Ira's mother could see Qiara laughing afterwards.

Other than the people closest to her, Ira's mother was one of the people who knew Qiara's past. In addition to Dean, Ira's mother who for six months also contributed in helping Qiara to rise as it is now. That was why, when Ira's mother finally saw Qiara laughing after this, she felt relieved.

"So, Danny's people have given you a lifelong curse?" Asked Ira's mother who was going to make Qiara stop her laughter and turn her head.

Qiara once told Ira's mother that the man she loved had given her a lifelong curse that made her unable to escape her past memories. In fact, even though the perfect Dean had already showered her with endless love, Qiara still could not break free from Danny's first love curse.

Qiara nodded with teary eyes.

Before this, Qiara had told her what she had been going through lately to Ira's mother, Qiara even told her about Dean's proposal which she had rejected.

"Yes, he's the one, Mom. The man Qia loved more than herself."

"Qia, with Mom, huh?" Ira's mother said softly as she held onto Qiara's shoulders, "Mother indeed supports your relationship with Dean, you can bring all the happiness in the world to Dean just by breathing, you can bring all the happiness in the world to Dean, but if Dean can't give you the same happiness you give, you don't have to force anything. Because in the end, you will be equally hurt, all the struggles Dean puts up for you will evaporate in vain, and that could close the entrance for someone who really loves Dean."

"Lady..."

"Take off if you have to let go. Let Dean find someone who loves him, someone he can afford to be happy to be happy for him. That feeling is called love, because the two people involved in it can make each other happy. But if only one person is happy, it is not love, it is only a form of caring. You can care for everyone at the expense of your pleasure and happiness, but believe me, there is only one person you truly love and can give you the same happiness you give."

Qiara immediately hugged Ira as she thanked in her heart, that how lucky she was to know an angel-hearted figure like Ira Mother.

When Qiara finally broke her embrace, Ira's mother wiped the tears on her face affectionately.

That emotional situation suddenly had to end when a ball touched Qiara's feet. Qiara reflexively lowered her head and looked at the ball.

"SISTER QIA, BRING THE BALL HERE, AND LET'S PLAY!" Said one of the children after Danny whispered something in his ear.

It was obviously Danny who had taught Genta to say that sentence. Qiara gave a loud snort, but not long after that he finally ran to the middle of the field, and joined playing football with others after Ira's mother said, "yes, Qi, after Danny! Don't make Danny wait any longer."

...****...

After the broadcast, Qiara hurriedly ran to the ANHTV cafeteria when Felicya suddenly called her and said that she was waiting for Qiara. Upon arrival there, sure enough, it turns out Felicya had sat at one of the tables located in the corner using a hat, glasses, and mask to cover her face so as not to be the center of attention of people.

Felicya had just finished her job to appear as a guest star on a radio show produced by Qiara. But the girl tried to take her time to be able to meet and talk to Qiara.

Qiara set her breath, before finally stepping over to Felicya.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Fel."

Felicya looked up so aware that Qiara had already come. He then removed his mask and smiled, "i should be apologizing to Mba Qiara for interrupting Mba Qiara's time."

Qiara smiled back while shaking her head a few times, "no. Not at all disturbing." Sneakily.

"Tomorrow, I must leave for Malaysia for my first Asia Tour. I'm worried that in the future we won't have time to meet, so I would like to meet Mba Qiara today."

"Duh is not good. I should have called you first, because, right, I promised to see you again." Reveal Qiara with a slight feeling of guilt.

Qiara chuckled awkwardly afterwards. He was confused as to how to find the next topic.

Not long after, the coffee that Felicya had ordered for Qiara came.

"Thank you for the coffee." Qiara said before she sipped her coffee.

"Oh yes, Mba Qiara..." Felicya's voice sounded hesitant.

"Why?"

"Emm, Mba Qiara must have heard the news at that time, right? About me being with Danny?"

The smile on Qiara's face instantly froze. It was not in his head that Felicya would discuss it with him. What was puzzling for Qiara now was; why did Felicya bring up the scandal with Danny some time ago? Especially with himself. Or do not-don't, Felicya know that in the past, he and Danny have indeed been in a relationship?

"Why ask that?" Inevitably, Qiara's voice sounded stiffened.

"I want to apologize to Mba Qiara about that. Back then, I really didn't know that Mba Qiara was the same Danny knew each other."

"What does this have to do with the fact that we know each other?" Qiara asked quite carefully.

"Some time ago, I was staking IG Mba Qiara. And I saw a photo of Mba wearing a ring. That was Mba's last post of 2018."

Oh yes, that photo! Qiara forgot to post a photo of herself showing off Danny's ring. Having not played socmed for too long, Qiara had forgotten many things.

"Aaaah that?" Said Qiara while turning her gaze the other way.

"That's Mba Qiara's wedding ring with Danny, right? I'm sorry to bring this up again, but when we were filming a variety show two months ago, I saw Danny put the same ring around his neck."

Qiara actually wanted to dodge and roll out another alibi. But the situation was quite squashed, so all he could say was, "it's just part of our past. So, you don't have to apologize, or feel guilty about your scandal. After all, you like Danny that's perfectly normal. Although he's a little annoying, but he's got a pretty strong charisma in him."

"Mba Qiara wants to know something?"

"A—What?"

"A year ago was the first time I met Danny. She was very cold, and I never once saw her smile. Here, he is famous as a fierce producer and transformed into a public enemy. Everyone always avoids getting into the slightest trouble with Danny, even people give him the nickname as the God of Death. But behind people's assumptions and Danny's cold demeanor, I'm sure he wasn't. Until finally, Mba Qiara appeared again. And from what I've heard, according to some of his teammates, Danny's been changing lately. He's become more smiling and not as scary as before."

Qiara just kept quiet while listening. One thing that's so striking his chest right now is; it turns out he's been missing a lot of things about Danny for as long as he's gone missing. That fact, re-awakened his guilty feelings.

"I don't know what your problem is, and I won't ask you anything because it's not my capacity. But all I know is, Danny loves Mba Qiara very much. During these three years, he had always faithfully waited for Mba Qiara."

...****...

After his meeting with Qiara was over, Felicya did not leave the place immediately. All she could catch when Qiara was begging to leave was, Qiara was like she was in a hurry. If the estimate is not wrong, Qiara must look rushed because he was about to meet Danny as country as he could.

Felicya smiled bitterly. But deep in his heart he convinced himself that he had done his best. Felicya then sighed, gave a sigh of relief and then stroked her own head.

"You did well, Felicya Diandra Aletha! It's okay."

As Felicya inched from her chair, the figure of Bagas who was currently standing not far from her with a gaze of observation instantly stole her attention. Not long after, Bagas pulled out his phone, typed in a message, and gave Felicya a code to immediately open his phone.

Bagas apparently sent the message to Felicya.

Without saying anything, Felicya immediately followed the code given by Bagas.

Shortly after reading the message sent by Bagas, Felicya immediately threw a look of protest at his annoying best friend. But even so, Felicya finally followed the orders of Bagas even with ogah-ogahan.

"Remain? Dih, who do you think you are?!" Felicya.

About five minutes later, Bagas and Felicya were already standing face to face on the ANHTV rooftop. Before conveying the thing he wanted to say, Bagas just stared at Felicya with an investigating look.

"Tomorrow you go to Malaysia. Instead of going home for a break, why are you still here? Do I need to ask for 'EXPLANation' with Anna?" Say Bagas while putting emphasis on the word 'explanation'.

From Felicya's point of view now, it just sounded like a threat to him. Like a subtle statement from; 'lo want me to report to Anna's sister?'

Felicya snorted, "don't be so serious, you look like a grandpa now."

"Yes, what are you doing here? Not a break."

"Kan, you asked me to come here." Felicya replied casually, pretending not to understand the intent of Bagas' question.

It was also successful in triggering Bagas's frustration.

"Not on this rooftop I mean, why are you still here? On ANHTV? As far as I know, you have no other schedule after the radio." Bagas. Unfortunately, he gritted his teeth.

"Ohh that? I'm seeing the fans." Felicya replied as if he did not want to explain anything to Bagas.

Felicya's answer was not entirely wrong either. She had indeed just met Qiara, a figure she had liked for many years.

"Curtain! See the fans." Bagas sizzling cynical.

"Gas?" Felicya called out to Bagas in a quite serious tone. He looked down while playing one of his legs.

"What?"

"Gue can ask for help?"

"Mi—ask what please?" Bagas began to look worried. Felicya's condition at that time also did not look good enough.

"Can you please tell me? If I've done my best."

Bagas did not answer. Without requiring any explanation, he could catch Felicya's intentions well. Bagas exhaled slowly, threw away all his doubts, then walked up to Felicya and hugged her.

For years he had been very close friends with Felicya, this was the first time Bagas had the courage to hug the girl. Not as a friend, but as a man.

"Lo may be careless, childish, and spoiled. But I know, you've done everything really well. I'm proud of you, Cia."

^^^To be Continued...^^^